Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §515-B is enacted to read:
§515-B. Purple Heart medal recipients; special motorcycle registration plates
The Secretary of State, on application and upon evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482, the registration fee required by section 515 and a one-time additional fee of $5, shall issue a registration certificate and a set of Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates, to be used in lieu of regular registration plates, to a person who is a Purple Heart medal recipient. The one-time additional fee of $5 is credited to the Highway Fund for administrative and production costs. Notwithstanding section 468, the Secretary of State may issue fewer than 2,000 of the plates authorized by this section, and this plate does not require a sponsor.
1. Application. An application for Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates must be accompanied by proof that the applicant has been awarded the Purple Heart medal. The Secretary of State shall verify the documentation presented by the applicant. Misrepresentation of documents is in violation of section 2103, subsection 5.
2. Surviving spouse. The surviving spouse of a Purple Heart recipient issued motorcycle registration plates in accordance with this subsection may retain and display the Purple Heart plates as long as the surviving spouse remains unmarried. Upon remarriage, the surviving spouse may not use the Purple Heart plates on a motorcycle, but may retain them as a keepsake. Upon the death of the surviving spouse, the family may retain the Purple Heart plates, but may not use them on a motorcycle.
3. Design. The Secretary of State shall determine the design of the Purple Heart motorcycle registration plate. Upon request and as provided by section 453, the Secretary of State shall issue Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates that are also vanity plates. Purple Heart vanity plates are issued in accordance with this section and section 453. The annual service fee of $15 for vanity plates is credited to the Highway Fund.
4. Recognition plates. A Purple Heart recipient or the surviving spouse of a Purple Heart recipient who does not operate a motorcycle or register a motorcycle and who otherwise qualifies for the issuance of special Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates may apply to the Secretary of State for a special single plate recognizing that award. The Secretary of State shall design and identify these special single plates for recognition purposes only. Special single plates may not be attached to a motorcycle. Only one plate may be issued to each recipient and a one-time fee of $5 charged.
The Secretary of State shall begin issuing Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates in accordance with this section no later than November 1, 2000.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §523, sub-§2-A is enacted to read:
2-A. Disabled veterans motorcycle license plates. The Secretary of State shall issue a registration certificate and special designating plate for a motorcycle to be used in lieu of a registration plate issued in subsection 2 to any 100% disabled veteran if an applicant submits the following together with an application:
A. Evidence of payment of the excise tax required by Title 36, section 1482; and
B. Certification from the United States Veterans Administration or any branch of the United States Armed Forces as to the veteran's permanent disability and receipt of 100% service-connected benefits.
Notwithstanding section 468, the Secretary of State may issue fewer than 2,000 of the plates authorized by this subsection, and this plate does not require a sponsor. These special designating plates must bear the word "Veteran."
Sec. 3. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from the Highway Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.
2000-01
SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
All Other $1,329
Allocates funds to cover the costs of manufacturing Purple Heart motorcycle registration plates.
Effective August 11, 2000, unless otherwise indicated.
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